Naogoan-6, Dhaka-5 by-polls on Oct 17

The Election Commission yesterday announced the dates of by-polls to three parliamentary constituencies -- Dhaka-5, Pabna-4 and Naogoan-6 -- amid coronavirus pandemic.

The date to by-polls in Pabna-4 constituency was set for September 26, while October 17 was set for by-polls in Dhaka-5 and Naogoan-6, announced Mohammad Alamgir, senior secretary to the commission, yesterday.

He made the statement following a meeting of election commissioners at the EC office.

The last date for nomination papers' submission for the aspirants in Pabna 4 is September 2, while the nomination papers will be scrutinised by the commission officials on September 3.

According to the announcement, the last date for withdrawal of candidacy is September 8.

Alamgir said ballot papers will be used in the by-polls in Pabna-4 and Naogoan-6 while electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used for the by-polls in Dhaka-5.

He also said that the decision was made to fulfil the constitutional obligation of filling the vacant seat of a member of parliament.

According to the constitution, an election to fill the seat of a Member of Parliament which falls vacant otherwise than by reason of the dissolution of Parliament shall be held within 90 days of the occurrence of the vacancy.

"Provided that in a case where, in the opinion of the Chief Election Commissioner, it is not possible, for reasons of an act of God, to hold such election within the period specified in this clause, such election shall be held within ninety days following next after the last day of such period," reads the constitution.

The maximum 180-day time limit for Pabna-4 will end on September 28 and for Dhaka-5 on November 1. Elections to the Naogoan-6 will take be held within the first 90 days of the occurrence of the vacancy.

Alamgir said that election will be held strictly following the health directives to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

No public meeting and door to door campaign will be allowed during electioneering, he added.

Pabna-4 seats of parliament fell vacant in recent times after the demise of Shamsur Rahman Sherif.

Dhaka-5 and Naogoan-6 seats, fell vacant recently after the demise of lawmakers Habibur Rahman Mollah and Israfil Alam respectively.

The EC will also need to hold by-elections of Dhaka-18 and Sirajganj-1 that fell vacant after death Sahara Khatun and Mohammad Nasim.

Since the detection of the first coronavirus case on March 8, the EC has so far held several elections.

On March 21, it held by-polls to Dhaka-10, Gaibandha-3, and Bagerhat-4. By-polls to Bogura-1 and Jashore-6 constituencies were held on July 14.